Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first to proceed since J&J separated its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos found in J&J’s Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma-related cause and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from the public for a number of years. The company has a long tradition of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. These lawsuits have identified several of the company’s talcum-powder suppliers such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on pads or condoms, or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can identify the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes within a cell. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can be found in many different industries which include manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms appear. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is usually determined by the location they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart’s lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other areas of the body, causing extreme pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos and didn’t warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J’s powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month, bringing the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid false diagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood test could be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient’s internal organs. The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, in which doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area, and then examine the area under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining of the abdomen, is a less common type. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that occurs in the lining the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.
The breath is short, and is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
average mesothelioma lawsuit settlements of mesothelioma is essential to determining the patient’s survival rate as well as treatment options. There are a myriad of options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells that determine the severity of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another illness like mesothelioma, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can assist you in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was once used extensively in a wide range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to their asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first large trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the precedent for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge denied J&J’s motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an attempt to derail the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company established an entity that was a subsidiary to take on its talc liability and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J that claim that the company’s inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent, and violated state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled attorneys can help you receive justice you deserve.
